There is a bus driving down a country highway. An array of mountains unfolds to the right of the road, a forest to the left.

 

Seat 7A: I know, I know. I worry too much. But I can’t help but think about her all alone, waiting for us to come back. She must be so scared over there.

7B: Well, technically she’s not alone, Anjali. My parents are with her.

7A: Yeah, yeah. You know what I mean. At her age, I don’t think she even realizes who they are. Oh, they’re probably all around her too. Viki must be so overwhelmed.

7B lets out a deep sigh.

7B: Honey, I think she’ll be okay.

 

A large bird glides down from above and lands on the protruding branch of a tree.

 

4D: José, quick, where’s my camera?! Look at that. I think it’s a caracara. Quick, quick, get my camera.

4C searches the bag frantically.

4C: Espera, espera, calm down. I’m grabbin’ it. Mierda, where is it? Are you sure you put it back in this bag?

4D: Ay, qué?! What do you mean? It should be in there. Did you forget to bring it?

4C: Me?! It’s your camera!            

 

The panorama of trees and shrubbery breaks for one moment to reveal the sight of a small waterfall.

 

2C: And he didn’t even look at the paper?

2D: Nope, not even one bit. Just saw the title and threw it back in my face.

2C: God, what an ass he must be. Did you flunk?—And what was the name of the class again?

2D: I held on by a thin fucking margin. So much stress because of one stupid, stupid professor. How can someone be so uptight like that without losing their shit? If that was me, I’d hate myself so much. Just the amount of nit-picking that guy must do on a daily basis is insane.

2C: Yeah, I can’t imagine. Was this an accounting course?

2D: Oh, no. My school actually doesn’t require an accounting course. It was for marketing analytics.

 

The highest peak of the mountain range finally comes into direct view of the bus’s passengers.

 

3A: ¿Crees que ahora hay gente en esa montaña?

3B looks up from her book.

3B: ¿Qué? ¿Ahora? Hmm, es posible.

 

3C: I’m about to take out my bag. Do you want some trail mix or an apple?

3D: No, I’m okay. Hey, do you think that any of the lakes would have any rare fish? I think I remember reading somethin’ about it on Wikipedia.

3C takes out her daypack from under the seat and rummages through it.

3C: I think so. My uncle goes down there often. He says he catches fish all the time. I think he might’ve mentioned there were fishing guides you could talk to in some of the shops.

3D: Oh, cool. I’ll wait until we can get some cell service to look into it.

 

The bus drives by a parcel of deer grazing on a shrub. The deer are partially hidden by vegetation.

 

The bus driver yells out a muffled ‘next stop, 2 miles.’

 

1A rests his elbow on the armrest as he holds the phone up to his ear.

1A: It’s better here than I thought. Figured I wouldn’t’ve been able to call ya till I reached the darn campsite.

1A pauses to listen.

1A: Yeah, miraculous indeed.

1A pauses again.

1A: Ope! Shoot! No, I think I forgot that. Crap crap crap. Just can’t remember everything I guess.

1A shrugs and chuckles.

 

5C looks to 5D, covering her mouth to speak secretively.

5C: What’s going on with them?

5D takes out her right earbud.

5D: Huh? Did you say something?

5C: Yah, the couple in front of us is freaking out over something. Jeez, could they be more annoying?

5D: I don’t know. Maybe they’re just excited.

5D puts her right earbud back in, and then, puts her left earbud in as well.

 

More trees begin to appear in the foreground of the mountain range. The taller trees begin to cover the distant mountain range. There is a blur of tree trunks as the bus zooms by the wooded area.

 

7A: You don’t know that.

4D: Mierda, mierda, mierda. I told you, remember?

2C: Whoa, you don’t need to take accounting for a business degree?!

3A: Creo que sí.

3C: Don’t hold your breath though. I don’t know how good it is at the lodge either.

8D: Wait, what’d he just say?

1A: We should be arriving there soon. But no, please stay on the line. It’s nice to hear a familiar voice.

5C: Well…sorry for bothering you. I guess I can always just keep it to myself.

8C: I think—I think he said 2 minutes until the next stop.

 

The bus comes to a halt at the foot of a dirt path on the side of the road and the accordion door opens. Some of the passengers get off.

 

4D: Do we have everything?

4C: Yup, I think so.

4D: Wait, where’s your backpack?!

4C cringes.

4C: Mierda.

4D smacks her forehead.

4D: Boludo!

 

The bus shrinks in the distance.